Automobile radiator cap



Sept. 25, 192& 1,685,405

N. E. JOHNSON AUTOMOBILE fiAplATon GAP Filed March 9, 1925 Patented Sept. 25, 1928.

UNITED STATES NORMAN E. JOHNSON, F orrroAGo, ILLINOIS.

' AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CAP.

Application filed March 9, 1925. Serial No. 14,044.

This invention relates to radiator caps for the radiators or condensers of automobiles, or for similar purposes, and more particularly to those which, when applied, are locked in place, but have a hinged or otherwise mounted closure which can be opened to permit fill ing of the radiator, as in replenishing the water or other liquid employed in the radiator or condenser ordinarily employed on automobiles for cooling the engine.

Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction whereby the caps can be supplied to stores or other places where automobile supplies are kept, in such a manner that a cap can be readily applied toany radiator or condenser, regardless of the diameter of theneck thereof, thereby to expedite the application of caps of this kind to the radiators or condensers of automobiles, and to obviate the necessity of employing certain methods and expedients heretofore employed and considered necessary, thus reducing the cost of pro' duction.

It is also an object to provide certain details and features of construction and combina tions tending to increase the general efficiency and desirability of a. radiator cap construction of this particular character.

To these and other useful ends, the invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of'a radiator cap embodying the principles of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section on line 22 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 33 in Fig. 2; v

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the parts involved in the construction of the cap;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the same part, but

showing the same slightly modified for a different size or diameter of radiator neck.

As thus illustrated, the neck 1 of the top of the radiator or condenser of the automobile is provided with screw threads 2, in the usual manner. A ring 3 of stamped brass or other suitable material is provided internally with screw threads to engage the threads on the neck. This ring 3 also has its upper por tion provided with pressed out spring portions 4, and around the middle portion of the ring is a packing 5 seated in the circumferential groove 6 formed in the ring. The cap proper 7 is of any suitable metal, and is preferably' provided with closure 8 pivoted at 9 on the cap propel-7 and provided at the other side with fastening means 10 which can be loosenedto permit opening of the closure 8 when it is desired to fill the radiator with water. The cap 7 has its interior surface provided with an annular groove 11 provided at intervals with ratchet teeth 12 adapted to be engaged by the springs 4, previously mentioned, whereby the cap 7 may be rotated in one direction on the ring 3, but cannot be rotated in the other direction. Therefore, the cap 7 7 cannot be rotated in a direction to unscrew the ring 3 from the neck 1,after the ring 3 is tightly and solidly screwed into position on the neck. Consequently, the cap cannot be stolen, as it cannotbe unscrewed and 3 taken oif except by first opening the closure 8 and inserting special tools downwardly to engage the springs 4, or something of that kind, an operation which, in practice, could only be performed in certain shops where tools of this kind are kept.

Therefore, with the construction shown and described, the comparatively inexpensive ring 3 is provided as a medium of connection between the cap and the neck of the radiator. These rings can be made of different shapes, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, depending upon the size ofthe neck of the radiator. For a neck of the size shown anddescribed, or of a certain size relatively to the cap, the ring 3 may be shaped as shown in Fig. 4, but, for the same cap 7, and for a neck of less diameter, a ring 13, formed as shown in Fig. 5, Would be employed, this ring being substantially the same as the ring 3, but having its lower edge contracted to a smaller diameter to engage a neck of'less diameter. Thus, as is obvious, the storckeeper or other supply station can be supplied with caps 7 of uniform size and shape, for all radiators, and with rings, such as the rings 3 and 13, of different shapes and sizes, but each ring being adapted to fit the standard size of cap 7, whereby the cap can be applied to a radiator having a neck of any diameter. As is well known, the necks of radiators vary somewhat in diameter, but with the construction shown and described, involving the use of an intermediate member between the cap and the neck, the variation in the diameter of the necks will not necessitate reconstruction of the caps, as was sometimes heretofore necessary in fitting a cap to a radiator having a neck of unusual diameter.

The intermediate rings do not have to be assembled With the caps at the factory, but, on the contrary, are supplied separately inasmuch as the purchaser can quickly insert the ring in the cap and then screw the ring upon the neck of the radiator, and the packing 5 forms a water-tight and steam-tight oint between the cap and the ring, so that no leakage will occur.

.lVithout disclaiming-anything, and without prejudice to any novelty shown and described, what I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination of a threaded inner member for screw attachment to the neck of a radiator, having spring means movable toward and away from the axis of said member, and a cap having aninternal circumferential groove for said spring means, in which groove said spring means is held, having stop means in said groove, co-operating with said spring means to form a ratchet device in said groove, permittingrelative rotation between said member and cap-in one direction,but positively preventing relative rotationin the opposite direction, said spring means and groove co-operating to also prevent separationot' said member and cap, and a packing 'below said other between said member and cap to prevent leak age, said member being grooved peripherally groove to receive said packmg.

2. The combination of a threaded inner member "for screw attachment to the neck of a radiator, havingspring means movable toward and away from the axis of said member, and a cap having an internal circumferential groove for said spring means, in which groove said spring means is held, having stop means in said groove, co-operating with said spring meansto'forin a ratchet device in said groove, permitting relative rotation between said member and cap in one direction, but positively preventing relative rotation in the opp'ositedirection, said spring means and groove co-operating to also prevent sepvaration of said member and cap, said member being a pressed sheet metal ring having a plurality of integral portions-forming said spring means, which portions are bent outward into said groove.

Specification signed this 2nd day of March, 1925.

NORMAN JOHNSON. 

